US military most stirring, courageous moments of WWII

Here is my Top 5 List of the most stirring, courageous moments of WWII:

1. "Taffy 3" at Battle off Samar, Oct 1944 - Personally I believe this is THE most stirring moment of US military history, period. DDs and DEs take on Japanese battleships and heavy cruisers after Halsey takes the bait and leaves his escort carriers. Especially the USS Johnston and USS Samuel B. Roberts.

2. Battle of Midway - Another incredible moment when you think about how outnumbered we were, with mostly green aircrews vs huge Japanese fleet with better aircraft and aircrews.

3. Bastogne - Sheer guts and courage of the 101st to hold vs German onslaught

4. Doolittle Raid - A tremendously well-planned and audacious operation. The first successful Joint operation in US military history. Impact of this felt by Japanese people and also their military through the end of the war. Read "The First Heroes" - tremendous book on this.

5. Turning the tide at Omaha Beach - As we all know, Omaha was very nearly a complete disaster. Only the courage and leadership at the platoon level by NCOs and young officers turned the momentum and finally pushed through the draws and around the German pillboxes. Also another not-too-well-known part of Omaha - the Navy destroyers that pulled up close to the shore (almost beaching) to bring their 5-inchers to bear on German positions.

 

Add to that US most honorable moments...

#1. Green beach and Ryan's ??? Orphans.

# 2. Again, your USS Johnston http://ww2db.com/ship_spec.php?ship_id=377

# 3. Pre WW2 etc... the Flying Tigers saving China.

# 4. Pre WW2 and on... US Aircrew serving in our RCAF. Salute!

# 5. Civilians flying the ''Hump'' in Burma. Bless their souls...

# 6. All the guys and gals that made lend-lease happen through Alaska. History has totally failed to give you your due recognition.
(NOTE: That does not apply to the Soviets. They've NEVER forgotten.)

2 B cont...

 

Umm, the "Flying Tigers" were not pre-WW2...Although formed and sent to Burma and China prior to the outbreak of war. they did not see their first combat until late December '41.

 

Pre WW2 US Forces doing anything notable... and later.

No edit function here for Smartphones... full version edit barely better.

and WORSE on ww2 talk, strange as that may be...

 

I'd certainly give an honourable mention of the Waal Crossing, 20th September 1944........

 

My top 5 in order:

1.) USS Johnston, Hoel, Heerman and Samuel B. Roberts at Samar.
2.) Tarawa, won on the sheer guts of individuals. "Utmost Savagery" the title of a book on the battle is an apt description.
3.) Guadalcanal-from 07August to 14 November. The one battle in which the US enjoyed none of her normal advantages. During this period of the battle victory or defeat balanced on a knifes edge numerous times. On more than a few occasions all that prevented utter defeat was one man, or a couple of ships, or a plane or two. Admiral Halsey stepping up and making up for his overly timid predecessor. Al Schmid holding his position and fighting his machine gun after being blinded by a grenade. The 1st Raiders and 1st Paramarines at Edson's Ridge. John Basilone on the night of 24-25 October. Mitchell Paige during the early hours of 26 October.



The early morning of 25 October an Puller's defense of Edson's Ridge, the 3d Battalion 164th Infantry's peicemeal commitment into the thin line and superb fighting (these North Dakota National Guard boy's fighting abilities were so respected that the Guadalcanal Marines started calling them the "164th Marines". Their commander, Lt. Colonel Robert Hall, commander of 3/164th Infantry for his excellent leadership that led to his being awarded the Navy Cross.



Dead Japanese, Marines and US Army Soldiers at dawn after 25 October fight.
The Navy's continual, costly fight to control the water's around the Island. Halsey sending Washington and South Dakota in because that's all he had left.
The Cactus Airforce and it's collection om Marine, Army and orphaned Navy pilots.
Joe Foss fighter Ace-MoH, Marion Carl fighter Ace 2 Navy Crosses, John L. Smith fighter Ace-MoH,Navy Cross, Richard C. Mangrum-dive bomber pilot, Navy Cross-Distinguished Flying Cross, only member of his squadron not killed or evacuated due to wounds. Bob Galer fighter Ace--MoH, Navy Cross, Harold W. Bauer fighter Ace--MoH (posthumously), James Swett fighter Ace, MoH, eight DFC's, Machinist Donald Runyon,USN--fighter Ace-Navy Cross, Lt. Stanley W. "Swede" Vejtasa, USN-fighter Ace (seven victories in one mission)--Navy Cross, and too many others to mention.
4.) The 101st at Bastogne.
5.) Omaha Beach

 

Looking at the thread title, I would have thought that the word 'moments' would mean our lists should cover the small things that made American participation stirring an courageous. I think the first stirring and courageous moment belongs right at the beginning of the American effort, and it belongs to Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

FDR's earliest and greatest moment was his decision to go flat against the grain of public opinion and fight a "Europe First" strategy. A more generous and kind hearted political decision was not made by any other politician. It showed that FDR was in charge, and sending American boys away from home to fight the "right" enemy.

It was proof, for evermore, that our logic determines what is right, not our might. And that stirs me to the core, shows courage as well, and on behalf of every U.S. citizen to boot!

other examples of that give much pride....

U.S. Marine Bonnyman's Medal of Honour for his single handed exploit on Betio Island. Un-ordered, Bonnyman stood up in full view at the very top of the largest bunker on the island, a communication faclity as well. His 15 second exposure drew enough Japanese attention from all sides, and enabled demolition teams to sprint close enough to this large structure and knock it out. Prior to Bonnyman, many Marines had been shot trying to get close enough, for this bunkers was part of a system. If you rushed one, another part of the system fired and pushed you back.. Without Bonnyman's heroics, a concerted counterattack might have been possible to co-ordinate in the coming nightime, but as it was, Betio's defenders were paralyzed for lack of orders, and the Marines had a much easier time, thanks to Bonnyman's exploit. Unaided and un-asked for, Bonnyman just got up and did it, knowing full well he wouldn't be sitting down again. Breathtaking, really. One man can still turn a battle.

It's Christmas of 1944. The 101st Airborne Division has just been airlifted to the Belgian town of Bastogne. Their orders are to hedgehog the town, covering every road in or out, and throw back any German unit attempting to enter, and to keep doing this until further orders. With no way for them to retreat, C.O. Brigadier Gen. Anthony C. Macauliffe is patiently optimistic. "We aren't defending here, we are putting the rest of the German Army under siege!", he quips. "they have got to come through us to go anywhere." Macauliffe's nervous G2 wants to know where the division should retreat to if need be, "Retreat?" he answers,, "Hell, we just got here!"
Of course everybody knows the story of Macauliffe turning down a German request for his surrender with the famous "NUTS". What you may not know, is that Bastogne is actually famous for the quality of the nuts that it grows and exports. Belgian townspeople were as confused as the Germans about the meaning of it, and assumed that Gen. Macauliffe was referring, quite naturally, to the famous nuts of the town!

more later.

 

McAuliffe's quip that you quoted is virtually word for word what Capt. Lloyd W. Williams, a Captain in 2d Bn 5th Marines, said to a French officer on 1 June, 1918 during the Battle for Belleau Wood. The event was widely reported at the time and McAuliffe was a cadet in the accelerated program at West Point graduating in November 1918 so I am sure he read everything in the newspapers having to do with the war, as at the time it appeared he would likely soon be a participant himself. So in all likelyhood he was reusing a quote he was already familiar with.

"As the Marines arrived, they found French troops retreating through their lines. A French colonel, attempting to acquaint the Americans with the realities of the situation and not trusting his spoken English, scribbled a note to the officer in charge of the Americans ordering them to retreat. The Marine officer looked at the Frenchman coldly and said, “Retreat, hell! We just got here.” That officer was Captain Lloyd William Williams, commanding the 51st Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. Captain Williams would die in Belleau Wood nine days later, blinded by gas and gutted by German shrapnel. He was the first Clarke County man killed in the war.".........."Captain Williams was not just a local hero. His heroic actions and fearless leadership were widely reported in major newspapers throughout America and Europe."

"Retreat Hell" is still the motto of 2/5.

 

The incredible thing about Betio was the hundreds of men whose small heroics added up to an improbable victory. Bonnyman has been mentioned.

"Stalled on the beach, the vehicles were vulnerable to preregistered mortar and howitzer fire, as well as hand grenades tossed into the open troop compartments by Japanese troops on the other side of the barrier. The crew chief of one vehicle, Corporal John Spillane, had been a baseball prospect with the St. Louis Cardinals organization before the war. Spillane caught two Japanese grenades barehanded in mid-air, tossing them back over the wall. A third grenade exploded in his hand, grievously wounding him."

"Staff Sergeant William Bordelon, a combat engineer attached to LT 2/2, provided the first and most dramatic example on D-Day morning. When a Japanese shell disabled his LVT and killed most of the occupants enroute to the beach, Bordelon rallied the survivors and led them ashore on Red Beach Two. Pausing only to prepare explosive charges, Bordelon personally knocked out two Japanese positions which had been firing on the assault waves. Attacking a third emplacement, he was hit by machine gun fire, but declined medical assistance and continued the attack. Bordelon then dashed back into the water to rescue a wounded Marine calling for help. As intense fire opened up from yet another nearby enemy stronghold, the staff sergeant prepared one last demolition package and charged the position frontally. Bordelon's luck ran out. He was shot and killed, later to become the first of four men of the 2d Marine Division to be awarded the Medal of Honor."

"The 2d Marines' Scout Sniper Platoon had been spectacularly heroic from the very start when they led the assault on the pier just before H-Hour. Lieutenant Hawkins continuously set an example of cool disdain for danger in every tactical situation. His bravery was superhuman, but it could not last in the maelstrom. He was wounded by a Japanese mortar shell on D-Day, but shook off attempts to treat his injuries. At dawn on D+1 he led his men in attacking a series of strongpoints firing on LT 1/8 in the water. Hawkins crawled directly up to a major pillbox, fired his weapon point blank through the gun ports, then threw grenades inside to complete the job. He was shot in the chest, but continued the attack, personally taking out three more pill boxes. Then a Japanese shell nearly tore him apart. It was a mortal wound."


"The Marines fought back silently and savagely, but the weight of the Jap attack swelled until Lieutenant Norman B. Thomas, acting commander of B Company, telephoned battalion: "We are killing them as fast as they come at us, but we can't hold much longer: we need reinforcements!" There was no time to move up reinforcements. [Maj] Jones told Thomas: "You've got to hold!" Somehow, the Marines of B Company held ...
It was over in one endless, agonizing hour. The Marines greeted the breaking dawn with haunted eyes, and tired but proud words: "They told us to hold... and by God, we held.""

"Observing four Japanese soldiers attacking a wounded Marine in an isolated position during the height of a fierce enemy night counterattack, Private Stambaugh unhesitatingly risked his life to race to the aid of his helpless comrade and, closing in for a brief, savage encounter, killed all four of the enemy with his rifle and bayonet before succumbing to a neck wound inflicted by a saber-wielding Japanese officer."

 

I agree, and make no apology for repeating the story of an incident from the Bulge which always commands my respect.

On 18th December 1944, as the spearhead of Kampfgruppe Peiper approached the vital river crossings at Trois Ponts they were confronted by a 57mm antitank gun manned by Lillard McCollum, Donald Hollenbeck, Dallas Buchannan and James Higgins. Facing the leading Panther tanks of the 1st SS Panzer Division, shots were exchanged until, inevitably, the gun was hit and all four were killed. Almost immediately, the Trois Ponts bridges behind them were blown and KG Peiper's onjective was thwarted.

Did their sacrifice cause the delay before the bridges were blown ? I neither know nor really care too much - they were brave men a very long way from home and whenever I'm in the area I think of this incident when I pass the spot.

 

On the evening of 6 August, 1944, the 1st Battalion, 117th IR, 30th Division had two companies (A & C) on the line outside the village of Saint Barthelemy, when Operation Luttich began. I have not been able to find the rosters for six August, but these companies were probably a bit understrength, with 150 - 165 men each. Skirmishing began after midnight as elements of the 1st and 2nd SS Panzer Divisions began probing the line. Civilians came through in a panic saying that many men and tanks were moving through the villages to the east and south.
By 0500, 7 August, full battle ensued all along the line with the enemy attacking in force with panzers accompanied by many companies of troops. The entire line was peppered by nebelwerfers and heavy mortars. The line held. Eventually, the panzers penetrated. The infantrymen dropped into their foxholes and let the panzers pass and then popped back up to engage the German infantrymen. They held the line because they had not been ordered to withdraw.
Through this entire period, comms were non-existent. By 0900 Battalion finally contacted these two companies to learn that A had only 13 men left and C had 33 men left - and they were still holding the line. They were ordered to withdraw to new positions just west of the village, where the reserve company had set up a new line. They did so and held that line for the next 5 days until the Germans withdrew.

The entire Mortain battle is a courageous story, but this tiny corner of the fight is quite incredible. These two companies suffered 80% and 90% casualty rates and still held until ordered to withdraw.

 

i can't remember the time and place or even the mission. but it was about US marines fighting the japanese on an island, wherein the americans had to bring a bulldozer to bear on god-knows-what. the marines were pinned down by machine gunners, while japanese snipers, inaudible due to the machine gun fire, kept picking off whoever was driving the dozer. but every time a driver was shot, another simply climbed aboard until the marines did what they were supposed to do.